After presiding over one win in Newcastle’s past 14 games in all competitions – 12 in the Premier League – Steve Bruce is wary of a Southampton side anxious to atone for Tuesday night’s concession of nine goals against Manchester United. An injury induced defensive crisis is doing little to assuage the home manager’s nerves – even if Allan Saint-Maximin is finally fit to start in attack and the Arsenal loanee Joe Willock could make his debut in midfield. Newcastle’s new-look diamond formation has brought an increase in possession – an almost unprecedented 60% – during the midweek home defeat to Crystal Palace but as one of Bruce’s predecessors, Alan Pardew, said “possession can be overrated” if you are not winning. Louise Taylor
Saturday 3pm BT Sport 1
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 2 Southampton 1
Referee Craig Pawson
This season G12 Y41 R2 3.58 cards/game
Odds H 2-1 A 17-10 D 2-1
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Dubravka, Fraser, Dummett, Willock, Ritchie, Carroll, M Longstaff, S Longstaff, Krafth, Gayle, Atsu
Doubtful Clark (paternity leave), Dummett (hamstring), Lewis (knock)
Injured Fernández (knock, unknown), Lascelles (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y41 R1
Form LLLLWL
Leading scorer Wilson 10
SOUTHAMPTON
Subs from Forster, Lewis, Romeu, Nlundulu, Bednarek, Finnigan, Ferry, Chauke, Watts, Tchaptchet
Doubtful Romeu (calf), Vestergaard (knee), Walker-Peters (hamstring)
Injured Armstrong (knock, 11 Feb), Salisu (knock, 11 Feb), Tella (hamstring, 11 Feb), Walcott (hamstring, unknown), Diallo (knock, unknown), Obafemi (unknown), Smallbone (knee, unknown)
Suspended Jankewitz (first of three)
Discipline Y32 R2
Form DWLLLL
Leading scorer Ings 7
